By Elliott West
“I don’t know what the future holds. All I know is that I prepare the best I can for any event. If I can turn up and feel good, I can compete,”
David Gilbert
Introduction
David Gilbert broke his drought of losing in four ranking finals when he won the Championship League at the start of the season, defeating Mark Allen 3-1 in the final. However, prior to his first ranking tournament, Gilbert received a large amount of criticism for not being able to get over the winning line. David rather like his colleague Jack Lisowski looked like they were in a sporting rut when they reached several finals but lost despite both being consistent.
Kicking On
Gilbert who ended his 22-year wait by winning the title looked like a potential victor for the British Open. Despite putting on a good performance, he narrowly lost out to Gary Wilson in the quarter-finals, defeated in a best of seven frames 3-4. Now 40, David still has the potential to win several more professional titles but he may have to slightly longer to achieve these goals. Dave has an impressive all-around game and is very fluent when he is playing well. The Tamworth player who has risen in the rankings to a high of number 10 since he first became professional in 1999 and now ranked 18 has thrown this losing monkey off his back and piled the onus onto Jack Lisowski, now ranked number 14 instead.
You could tell how much winning his first title means to Gilbert by his emotional acceptance speech at the Championship League and his picture posted shortly after, of himself in bed, cuddling the trophy. Mark Allen was very gracious in defeat, praising his opponent’s performance despite being tipped to win. Mark had produced a blistering performance in his previous Group 1 match, defeating Kyren Wilson 3-0 and looked like he may claim the title but in the end, was only able to win one frame against David Gilbert in the final.
I am so happy for Dave because he has put those dark days of struggles and lack of cash behind him. A modest man, who would rather spend his hard-earned winnings on his wife and a modest holiday than flash cars and the high life, now doesn’t have to worry where his next meal is coming from and now looks like a potential threat to the Class of 92. A battle that won’t be easy to break through due to the vast amount of experience O’Sullivan and company have but nothing is impossible and if anyone can do it, Gilbert can!
